Watercolour I: Basic Techniques and Fundamentals

Instructor: Alison Montgomery
Tuesdays 6-9pm
10 weeks: September 19 to November 28, no class October 10
Location: In-person Williams Building room 118
$375 (supplies not included)
Prerequisite: None

In this introduction to painting with watercolour, students will become familiar with watercolour materials and techniques while creating several paintings. Along with watercolour paint, brushes and paper, basic colour theory and the fundamentals of drawing and composition will be introduced. Subject matter that is easily suited to the watercolour medium will be suggested. Students will be encouraged to explore subject matter that is of particular interest. Each week will include instruction and demonstration sessions, followed by practcse and feedback.

Syllabus

  • Introduction to watercolour materials: paint, paper, and brushes
  • Introduction of four techniques: flat wash, wet in wet, broken surface, and dry brush
  • Introduction to composition: rule of thirds, using the picture plane, and cropping
  • Working from photographs
  • Drawing subject matter
  • Landscape elements: atmospheric perspective, trees, sky, and water
  • Where to start and what to paint first
  • Observation of still life: shape reading and drawing with the brush
  • Working with textures
  • Studio: explore personal style, areas of interest and ideas for subject matter

Supplies

Watercolour mixing tray (plastic hinged or open palette) approx. 9" x 11"

Brushes

  • #12 or #16 WC brush (Princeton round)
  • #20 WC brush (Princeton round)

Paints (5ml – Daniel Smith or another professional brand)

  • Ultramarine Blue (or French Ultramarine)
  • Cerulean Blue
  • Hansa Yellow Light
  • Hansa Yellow Med
  • Alizarin Crimson
  • Rose Madder Genuine

Paper

  • 1-2 sheets of 22" x 30" - 300lb cold press watercolour paper (to be cut or torn to ¼ size for most projects in class)
  • 11" x 14" watercolour practise pad (recommended: Fabriano or Strathmore)

Other supplies

  • 2b pencil(s) and small pencil sharpener
  • Gum eraser
  • Kneadable eraser (optional)
  • One roll of green (recommended FROG) painter’s tape  
  • One Masonite or painting board - approx. 22" x 26"  
  • 2 - 500 ml plastic water containers
  • Roll of paper towel
  • Optional: any type or sturdy portfolio for paper (usually big enough to hold 22" x 30")